Some individuals living on the flood-ravaged Sumatran island in Indonesia have turned to theft of essential supplies like food and water in order to survive, as reported by authorities on Sunday. Concurrently, officials in Sri Lanka have confirmed that the death toll due to floods and mudslides in the country has now reached 193.
The severe flooding, which struck Indonesia almost a week ago, has claimed the lives of 442 individuals so far, with the count expected to increase as more bodies are discovered, and has forced 290,700 people to evacuate. The torrential rains triggered landslides, caused road damage, isolated parts of the island, and disrupted communication networks.
Additionally, 402 individuals are currently unaccounted for in Indonesia’s provinces of North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh, according to reports from the National Disaster Management Agency.
Rescue operations have been severely impacted by adverse weather conditions and the scarcity of heavy equipment. Assistance has been slow to reach the worst-affected city of Sibolga and the Central Tapanuli district in North Sumatra.
Social media videos have shown desperate individuals navigating through obstacles to procure essential items like food, medicine, and fuel. Some have braved waist-deep floodwaters to reach damaged stores.
Reports have emerged of looting incidents before aid supplies arrived, prompting regional police to intervene to restore order. A police spokesperson, Ferry Walintukan, mentioned that the looting occurred due to a lack of awareness about impending aid deliveries, leading to concerns about starvation.
The government has mobilized eleven helicopters from Jakarta to facilitate ongoing logistics distribution in the affected regions, particularly in areas inaccessible by land due to the disaster. However, aid operations have been frequently disrupted by unpredictable weather conditions.
Footage released by the Cabinet Secretariat showcased military efforts to airdrop supplies to the affected areas. In North Tapanuli village, survivors eagerly signaled for aid from helicopters, while navy ships docked at ports to assist in distributing aid.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan authorities have reported a rise in the death toll from floods and mudslides to 193, with 228 individuals still missing. A significant number of people, approximately 148,000, have been displaced from their homes and are currently residing in temporary shelters.
Sri Lanka has been grappling with severe weather conditions since the previous week, with the situation worsening on Thursday due to heavy rainfall causing flooding, landslides, and extensive damage, particularly in the central hill country known for tea cultivation.
Forecasters have indicated that Cyclone Ditwah, originating in the seas east of Sri Lanka, is anticipated to shift towards the southern coast of India on Sunday.